Lea Michele Pays Emotional Tribute To Cory Monteith On His Birthday

It’s been nearly a year since the tragic passing of Cory Monteith, but his spirit lives on through those who loved him the most.

As what would have been his 32nd birthday passed over the weekend (Sunday, May 11), Lea Michele paid a touching tribute to her late boyfriend with a tweet that showed the two of them in happier times.

“The biggest heart and the most beautiful smile,” Michele wrote. “In all of our hearts..We love you so. Happy Birthday.”

Monteith, who rose to fame as the lovable Finn Hudson on the hit show Glee, died of a drug overdose in July of last year. The sad news shocked the world as Monteith, who had been upfront about his struggles with addiction, was seemingly clean at the time following a recent stint in rehab.

In the months that followed his passing, Glee aired an episode dedicated to their fallen castmate entitled “The Quarterback,” while Lea Michele has spoken openly about her relationship with Monteith and dedicated several songs to him on her debut album Louder.

“He was not his addiction – unfortunately, it won. But that wasn’t who he was,” Michele told Seventeen in a recent interview (via People). “Cory made me feel like a queen every day. From the minute he said ‘I’m your boyfriend,’ I loved every day, and I thank him for being the best boyfriend and making me feel so beautiful.”